Methods and apparatus for treating spinal stenosis

Abstract

This invention relates generally to spine surgery and, in particular, to methods and apparatus for treating spinal stenosis. The methods comprising gaining access to an interspinous space, abrading a portion of the superior spinous process, inserting an implant into the interspinous process space, verifying the position of the implant by observing the position of three radio-opaque markers embedded in the implant, and coupling the implant to the superior spinous process.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims the benefit of the filing date under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of provisional application entitled “Methods and Apparatus for Treating Spinal Stenosis,” Ser. No. 60 / 722,065, filed Sep. 28, 2005, the entire contents of which is fully incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]I. Field of the Invention[0003]This invention relates generally to spine surgery and, in particular, to methods and apparatus for treating spinal stenosis.[0004]II. Discussion of the Prior Art[0005]Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of spaces in the spine which results in pressure on the spinal cord and / or nerve roots. This disorder usually involves the narrowing of one or more of the following: (1) the canal in the center of the vertebral column through which the spinal cord and nerve roots run, (2) the canals at the base or roots of nerves branching out from the spinal cord, or (3) the openings between vertebrae through which nerves ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is about a new way to treat spinal stenosis that allows the spine to flex and extend. It involves using an inter-spinous spacer that is attached to only one of the two adjacent spinous processes. This spacer is designed to fuse with the spinous process over time, which helps to keep the spine stable and aligned properly. The spacer can be made from bone or non-bone materials, and it can be filled with materials that promote bone growth to further enhance the fusion process. This new invention minimizes the risk of the spine becoming re-formed around the spacer, which can cause pain and limited mobility.

Problems solved by technology

Pressure on the spinal cord and / or exiting nerve roots may give rise to pain or numbness in the legs and / or arms depending on the location within the spine (e.g. cervical, thoracic, lumbar regions).

While generally effective, some consider lamimectomy disadvantageous in that, as with any procedure involving bone removal, the resulting region of the spine may be further compromised from a mechanical standpoint.

Moreover, elderly patients frequently have co-morbidities that increase the likelihood of complications, such as increased back pain, infection, and prolonged recovery.

Having both ends of the spacer device coupled to the respective spinous processes disadvantageously limits both flexion and extension of the spine at that location, when it is believed that limiting extension is the key to relieving spinal stenosis.

Moreover, the prior art inter-spinous spacers are typically constructed from materials (e.g. metal) with properties substantially different than that of the spinous processes themselves, which raises questions of whether the spinous processes will remodel around the spacer and thereby lose their ability to distract and thereby alleviate spinal stenosis.

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